High-speed capping machine



N 1953 M. N. SCHWEIZER 2,658,654

HIGH-SPEED CAPPING MACHINE Filed Feb. 12, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 w f-h- I, w}- 4m 66 62 12 42 INVENTOR MNORMANJCHWEIZE'R wd m ATTORNEY NOV. 10, 1953 M, sc w z R 2,658,654

HIGHSPEED CAPPING MACHINE Filed Feb. 12, 1949 S'Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR MNORMW J an WEIZER MJM ATTO R N EY Patented Nov. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HIGH-SPEED CAPPING MACHINE Max Norman Schweizer, New York, N. Y., assignor to Resina Automatic Machinery Company Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 12, 1949, Serial No. 76,105

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to capping machines, and more particularly to a type adapted to successively cap a large number of containers as they are moved on a conveyor belt.

An object of the present invention herein lies in the provision of a capping machine in which a relatively large number of caps may be applied to containers in rapid succession, the capping operation taking place while the containers are in transit.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a capping machine having a simple and. eflicient cycle of operation, the flow of caps and containers being simultaneous.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a capping machine, possessing the above advantages, in which there is an absence of sudden starts and stops of the container while in transit thereby eliminating practically all chances of spilling critical contents.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a high speed capping machine which is capable of convenient adjustment for accommodating various size containers and caps therefor.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that when caps of a relatively small size are employed relatively higher capping speeds are available. With very small caps, speeds as high as two-hundred-fifty per minute are possible.

Another feature of the invention lies in the fact that there is a complete absence of starwheels, and reciprocating levers common to many devices used heretofore.

Another feature of the invention lies in the fact that all timing linkages serving to coordinate individual caps with containers have been eliminated. In the present device, the neck. of each container removes a cap from the cap supply means which lies in the path of the containers. In this way the feeding of caps from the cap supply means is automatically halted if there is no container in a cap receiving position.

Still another feature of the present invention lies in the provision of means which is adapted not only to tighten caps of the threaded type upon containers, but to seat and tighten into position caps of the bayonet or lug type as well.

These objects and features as well as other incidental objects and advantages will become more fully apparent during the course of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing to which reference will be made in the course of the following specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure l is a longitudinal side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view partly broken away to show details of internal structure.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the cap gate shown with a cap in the container I engaging position, as broken away from Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view with added parts as seen from the plane i-6 on Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 55 on Figure 1, and showing a plurality of containers in operative positions. Certain of the parts have been removed for purposes of clarity.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 6-6 on Figure 5.

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a portion of a container engaging belt, plane l-l on Fig. 6.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 88 on Figure '7.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a cap engaging rotor member.

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional View, as seen from the plane ill-4d on Figure 1.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane l ii l on Figure 5.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view as seen from the plane l22 on Figure 11.

The device, generally indicated by reference character It], includes broadly a main frame element ll, conveyor belt means !2, container belt means l l, cap supply means It, and cap positioning means I8.

The frame element 1H may be of any suitable form, such as that illustrated on Figures 1 and 2, and includes a plurality of brackets 20 for securing the device it to a floor (not shown), a bottom wall member 22, side walls 24, 25, 26, and 28, and a top wall member 3t. Mounted upon the bottom wall member 22 is a prime mover 32, preferably in the form of a one-half horsepower electric motor, which through the belt 34 drives the gear reduction unit 35. A chain 38 connects the gear reduction unit 36 with shaft Mi, thus transmitting power to the conveyor belt means I 2.

The conveyor belt means l2 includes generally an endless linked belt 42, suported by the table 44, and the idler sprockets 4B and it. As has been mentioned the belt 42 is driven from the shaft 40 by means of a driver sprocket 50 ensmell prctuberances 55 one on each link of the belt. The belt 42 normally travels in the direction indicated by the arrows 52 on Figure 1, and positive drive is assured by resilient guide members 54 and 56 which maintain the belt 42 in engagement with the sprocket 5G. The conveyor belt 42 may be fed in any convenient manner, as for example by means of other conveyor belt means (not shown) which may be used not only to transport uncapped containers Ills to the device, but also to remove the containers after they have been capped. If desired the belt 42 may also be fed manually, although this is not practicable if the device is to operate at a relatively high speed.

The container belt means I4 moves in unison with conveyor belt means I2, by power transmitted through the chain 58, to shaft 66. Mounted upon the extremities of the shaft $6 are bevel gears 62 and 64 (see Figure 2) which mesh with bevel gears 56 and 68 on shafts 1i! and 12 respectively. The last two mentioned shafts drive the sprockets, one of which is shown at 14 (see Figure 1) by which the chains 16 and 18 are driven. It might be mentioned at this point that the prime mover 32 serves to drive the means I2 and I4, and is capable of speed adjustment with respect to the other moving parts of the device to be subsequently described.

On Figures '7 and 8 there may be seen one segment of the chains which are substantially identical. Each link is provided with the usual connecting member 88 pivotally secured to the plates 82 by pins 84. The plates 82 are of a width considerably greater than the connecting members ill] and provide means for securing a resilient block 85 therebetween by suitable means such as the rivets B6. The outer surfaces 88 of the blocks 85 are adapted to engage the outer surfaces of the containers I00.

Turning now to Figure 5 there may be seen the adjustable guide rails 90 and 92 which are substantially similar in structure except that the guide rail so may be referred to as a left hand one and the guide rail 92 as a right hand one. Thus a description of guide rail 90 will serve to de scribe guide rail 92 as well, thereby avoiding needless repetition.

The guide rail 96 is generally elongated in shape, and rectangular in cross-section. The thickness thereof is preferably slightly less than the distance between the plates 82 of the links comprising the chain 16. As the plates 82 extend outwardly of the pins 84, when the chain 16 is in a stressed condition it is urged to folllow the path of the edge 94 as illustrated on Figure 8. The rail 99 is also provided with a pair of longitudinally disposed slots 95 and 98, engaged by pintles Hi2 and I64. The last mentioned pins are secured to the extremities of pivotal arms Hi6 and H33 respectively, which are adapted to move the guide rail 90 toward and away from the belt 42 in order that containers IElEI of various shapes and sizes may be conveniently accommodated. At the leftmost extremity of the guide rail 99 (as seen on Figure 5) there is provided a bracket I I0 upon which is rotatably mounted the idler sprocket H2 about which the chain 16 passes.

Turning now to Figures 1 and 2, there may be seen the carriage members H4 and II 6, upon which the table 44 and arms I06 and I08 are mounted. The arms are pivoted by manually rotating the small handwheel H8. This in turn rotates shaft I20, wherby worm gears I22 and I24 may rotate the shafts I26 and. I28. Through a somewhat similar linkage (not shown) the handwheel I30 displaces the guide rail 92. Since the guide rails 90 and 92 are each moved from two distinct points the edges 94 may be maintained parallel to the axis of the belt 42 at all times.

. As the pintles H32 and IE4 in their path of motion describe arcs rather than straight lines, it is necessary to provide means to maintain the chain 16 in a constant degree of tension. To accomplish this end, there are provided pivotally mounted rollers I32 depending from the guide rails 90 and 92, which engage cams I34 suitably fixed with respect to the auxiliary table 44. Thus a the guide rail 90 is moved outwardly or away from the belt 42 the roller I32 moves to contact the higher portion of the cam 34 which action forces the guide rail toward the idler sprocket H2, thereby eliminating the slack in the chain E6 which would otherwise occur. The initial tension may be regulated by means of adjusting screws I35 which changes the disposition of the cams I34 with respect to the table 44.

As the chains 16 and 18 are of a somewhat shorter effective length than the belt 42, separate guides are preferably mounted on the table 44 to maintain the containers I00 on the belt 42 when they are not engaged between the belts 16 and 18. Two of the guides are shown on Figure 1 at I36 and I38.

The cap supply means It includes generally a cap hopper Hit, a cap chute I42, and a cap dispensing gate I44.

The cap hopper I40 may be of any suitable type such as that shown on Figures 1 and 2, which includes a rotating disk serving to propel caps 2% to the cap chute I42. Power to drive the hopper I 4!} is provided by a take off means which includes a clutch I45, a worm drive unit I48, 2. bevel gear pair I50, and a belt I52 which rotates the pulley I54.

The cap dispensing gate I 44 is located at the lower terminus of the cap chute I42, and may be best seen on Figures 3 and 4. It includes a lower wall I55, preferably integral with that of the cap chute I42, a pair of resilient jaw members I58 and IE6, and a positioning spring I62. The jaw members I58 and I60 are substantially similar, and are pivotally secured to the side walls 54 and I66 of the cap chute I42, at points I68 and Iii Since it is essential that the jaws be free to move with a minimum of friction, the mounting is relatively loose, the jaws being held in position by the small cotter pins I12. The jaws its and I19 each comprise a cap flange engaging portion I13, a main body portion I14 and a spring engagement portion I15. The coil spring I18 connects the spring engagement portions E16 and as may be seen on Figure 3 serves to urge the jaws toward a closed position. The spring H18 has a relatively low constant and is of a length such that it exerts but slight tension when in the position shown on Figure 3. That is to say, the spring is of a length slightly greater than the distance between the spring engagement portions when the mandible portions I13 are engaged by a cap 280. Accordingly, a slight pressure is all that is required to release the cap 290.

The cap positioning means l8 comprises broadly a cap leveling unit I (see Figure 4) and a rotor unit I82.

The leveling unit I89 includes a supporting frame its which is preferably integral with the upper superstructure I85 from which depend the forward leveling member I38, and the rear level ing member let. The members I88 and 190 are generally similar, and each comprises an upwardly curved leading edge 92, and a planar portion 94. In order that there may be continuous action upon the caps 22% when the device it is in operation, the forward leveling member E83 is provided with a small recess H35, in which the leading edge Hi2 of the rear leveling member its may be disposed. The members 38 and Hill are each supported by four link members of equal length, two of which are shown at its. The links are pivotally secured to the members ltd and use by means of mounting blocks 262, and to the supporting frame 184 in a similar manner. In the case of the upper mounting, however the links are partly disposed within narrow channels 2%, whereby the movement of the links about the pivotal mounting is limited to a small are. As shown on Figure 4 the forward leveling member its is shown at its uppermost limit of displacement, and the rear leveling member Hid is shown at its lowermost limit of displacement. Since the members I38 and lot are mounted with respect to the supporting frame its in a manner resembling that of parallel rulers the lower surfaces 296 are main tained in a substantially horizontal plane, throughout the limited motion.

The rotor unit I82 (see Figures 1, 2, 9 and 10) provides means whereby the caps 2% may be rotated so as to finally seat them upon the necks 32d of the containers Hit. As will become more fully apparent, it is readily adapted by a convenient adjustment for use not only with screw type caps which are secured by a simple twisting motion, but also with the lug or bayonet type cap, which requires a leveling motion to prevent the jamming of the interengaging parts, and a slight twisting motion for final engagement.

[is may be seen on Figure 2 the rotor unit m2 is driven by a second prime mover 268, through a chain 2555, which engages a sprocket 2 12, on shaft 2%. Disposed within an outer casing ele ment 2216 (Figures 2 and 10) is a portion of the shaft 2M upon which are I counted three worm ,ear 2H8, 222. which drive the horizontally disposed gears 22d, and 228, on shafts 2 3d, and respectively. Driving sprockets 236, 233 and are also mounted upon shafts 2st, 232, and respectively; and through sprocket chains and transmit motion to sprockets 248, 25%, and @252 on shafts and 253. The driven sprockets 243, 25!], and 25?. are provided with two teeth more than the driving sprockets 233, and 24;), which causes the shafts 25d, and to rotate at a slightly slower speed than. the shafts and 236. The last six mentioned shafts are connected through universal type couplings 255 to the rotors and rotor which are substantially similar in construction with the exception of the rotor 262 driven by shaft 254. As may be seen on Figures 1, 2, and 9, the rotors are each sup ported by the frame its by a pin 263 contacting the sides of a channel 26d, and a threaded adjusting screw 25%. This structure permits the individual rotors 262 to be moved toward or away from the rotor directly opposite, thereby providing for the accommodation of different sizes of caps 200.

On Figure 10 may be seen an enlarged sectional 6 I view of the rotor 262. The rotors 252 are generally similar to rotor 262' but lack certain parts to be noted hereinafter. A description of rotor 252, therefore, will serve to describe the rotors 2&2, thereby avoiding needless repetition.

The rotor 262' includes a casing element 2%, a reversing means 2'55] (not present in rotors 252) and a cap engaging member 2712. The casing element 253 is of irregular configuration and includes the aforementioned channel 23 i and a threaded orifice 265 in which the adjusting screw 265 is engageable.

Power is transmitted through the coupling 25k! to the shaft 27%. The bevel gear Zlii is concentric with shaft 2M but is not rigidly secured thereto. In the position shown on Figure 9, however, the sliding clutch means 2h; has been moved upwardly so that the claw member 2% which is slidably keyed to the shaft 2% engages the claw member 282 which is integral with gear 276. Power is thus transmitted through the idler gear 284 to the driven gear 236 which secured to the shaft 283 by the pin in this position therefore the direction of the power transmitted to the shaft in, is reversed when transmitted to shaft 288. By moving the lever Est upwardly the member 2853 is disengaged from the member 282, and the claw member 292 then en ages tr e claw member 294 integral with the gear 285%. In this later position the power is transmitted directly from the shaft 215. to the shaft 233 without reversal of direction.

The cap engaging member H2 is preferably in the form of a first flange member 2%, and a second removable flange member 298, between which is maintained a resilient annular mem ber preferably formed from rubber or similar material. A screw permits the removal of the flange member should it be necessary to replace the annular member 353%.

As has been mentioned, the rotors 252 are similar to the rotor 2S2 except that the reversing means Elli, including the clutch mechanism 218 and the gears 25'6, 28 i, and 235, is eliminated.

The rotor cap supply means it, together with the cap positioning means l8, are not only capable of adjustment with respect to different sized caps 260, but are also adjustable in order to accommodate containers let having different heights. The means to accomplish this end are perhaps best seen on Figures 1 and 2. As may be seen thereon the superstructure ass is sup ported upon four shafts 3%, which are slidably disposed with respect to the guides mounted on the upper top wall member lid; that is to say the superstructure may be moved along an axis parallel to the shafts 3'82, whereby the position of the annular members soil is altered to conform to the particular containers being capped. Precise adjustments are obtained by manually rotating the handwheel 3%, on shaft Motion is transmitted through the gear pair did and worms ill to the threaded shafts 55 i mounted in thrust bearings ills, which in turn raise or lower the threaded brackets are upon which the superstructure I rests. There are two bracket-s did and associated structure, only one of which is shown in the drawings.

Operation The device is readied for operation by 1oacling the hopper Lil! with a sufficient number of caps 200, and adjusting the container belt means It and cap positioning means is to conform to the particular size container its. For example,

7 in the case of a container of relatively large configuration, the superstructure I86 may be raised by the hand wheel 368; the rotors 262 and 282 are adjusted outwardly by the screws 286; and the guide rails 96 and 92 are also moved outwardly by the handwheels H3 and. [35. The prime movers 32 and see may then be started by depressing the switches 326 and 322. In a short time the cap chute Hi2 has been filled with caps 2%, and the device is now ready for the introduction of uncapped containers illi which are placed upon the belt 4?; at the left of the device as seen on Figure 1. As the container I08 moves toward the right it is engaged between the belt means i i. At this point the container Edi; is securely engaged by the device and is moved toward the cap gate M4 (see Figures 4 and 5). As the container moves past the gate M2 the neck 32:3 engages the flanged portion 326 of the cap Edi and forces it against the engaging portions H53 whereby they are moved outwardly against the action of the spring '59. The cap is prevented from slipping oil the neck of the container at this point by the positioning spring I62. Should the cap 2% not be axially aligned with respect to the axis of the container it is made so by contact with the surface 2% of the forward leveling member Hi8. Subsequent travel to the right brings the cap mto contact with the resilient members 3863 of the rotor members 262 and 252', which are rotating in the direction of the arrows shown on Figure 10. As viewed from above, therefore, the caps are twisted clockwise. The twisting motion is continued as the container progresses to the right, and is successively maintained as the cap contacts the annular members 389 of the second and third pair of rotor members 232. When the container ltd emerges from the device if the cap has been fully seated upon the neck and is ready for subsequent handling.

In the above sequence of operation the lever 29! of the rotor member 232' has been moved to its uppermost position in order that the rotor member 262' rotate in the same direction as the other rotor member 262. This is the proper adjustment when using screw type caps such as those shown on Figure 4. When the lug or bayonet type of cap is employed, the lever 2% is moved to its lowermost position thereby reversing the direction of rotation of the annular member 38B of the rotor 2&2. Since the rotor 262 rotates at a slightly slower speed than the rotor 262 directly opposite, there will be a resultant torque tending to rotate the cap counterclockwise as seen from above. Should the cap at this point have failed to seat owing to the lugs on the neck of the container being disposed ii mediately beneath the lugs of the cap, the counterclockwise torque will serve to rotate the cap whereby the lugs may be disengaged permitting the cap to drop to the proper level for seating. The second and third sets of rotors 262 then provide the clockwise torque necessary to finally engage the cap so that the lugs upon the cap will be disposed beneath the lugs of the containers.

By virtue of the fact that the speed of travel of the containers Hit is governed by the speed of the prime mover 32, while the speed of the rotors 262 (and 2612) is governed by the speed of the prime mover 288, these speeds may be independently adjusted to produce the desired mode of operation, Since the cap supply means [6 is coupled to the drive for the said rotors, the faster the capping operation is performed the greater will be the supply of caps, in the position to be picked up by the necks of the containers.

While I have shown three pairs of rotors which act upon the caps, the number of pairs may be increased or decreased depending upon the speed of operation desired. I have determined by actual test that three pairs are most desirable, particularly when one of the rotors in one of the pairs is used to seat bayonet or lug type caps, by a reversal of its normal rotation.

As described in connection with the description of the structure shown on Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings, the speed of rotation of the shafts 254, 256, and 258 is slightly less than the speed of rotation of the shafts 236, 232, and 234. In this manner the movement of the container as it passes the annular member 3538 is compensated for. This results in improved operation, especially at high capping speeds. At lower capping speeds, the sprockets 2 18, 250, and 252 may have the same number of teeth as the sprockets 236, 2 :28 and 24! Where it is desired that the device be used only with straight screw caps (as contrasted with caps having bayonet lugs), the rotor 252' may have the reversing mechanism absent.

When containers are encountered which have necks that are eccentric with respect to their bodies, neck guides (a spaced and parallel pair) may be used. Such guides are indicated by reference character 335 on Figures 1 and 4. Such guides are independently adjustable by means not shown, and the bottles or containers when so positioned by the neck guides may shift slightly in a lateral direction with respect to their path of travel by virtue of the resilient blocks 85.

It may thus be seen that I have invented a novel and useful improvement in high speed capping machines in which there has been achieved a highly simplified cycle of operation. The invcntion permits of extremely high capping speeds to a degree previously unobtainable, and yet allows the containers to be gently handled whereby spilling of the contents of the uncapped containers is practically eliminated. The device may be constructed with considerably fewer moving parts than has been heretofore possible, and accessibility for repairs may be less frequent and of a less serious nature. The device may be operated by those possessing only ordinary skill, and with but ordinary care there is no danger to the person of the operator.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the exact details of structure set forth and described in the above specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates.

I claim:

1. A capping machine for use in applying caps to uncapped containers including: a conveyor belt means, and a cap positioning means; said cap positioning means including a plurality of rotor members engageable with said caps and serving to engage said caps upon said containers; said rotor members being disposed upon opposite sides of said caps and containers as they are transported past said rotor unit by said conveyor belt means; all of said rotor members being capable of rotation in a first direction, and one only of said rotor members being capable of rotation in a second direction opposed to said first mentioned direction.

2. A capping machine for use in applying caps to uncapped containers including: a conveyor belt means and a cap positioning means; said cap positioning means including a plurality of rotor members engageable with said caps and serving to engage said caps upon said containers; said rotor members being disposed upon opposite sides of said caps and containers as they are transported past said rotor member by said conveyor belt means; means for driving all of said rotor members in a first direction, and a portion only of said plurality of rotor members having selective rotation reversal means for selectively and simultaneously driving said portion in a second direction opposed to said first direction, as the remainder of said rotor members are driven in said first direction,

3. A capping machine for use in applying caps to uncapped containers including: a conveyor belt means and a cap positioning means; said cap positioning means including a plurality of rotor members engageable with said caps and serving to engage said caps upon said containers; said rotor members being disposed on opposite sides of said caps and containers as they are transported past said rotor members by said conveyor belt means; means for driving all of said rotor members in a first direction of rotation, and selective rotation reversal means for selectively and simultaneously driving a portion only of said plurality of rotor members in a second direction opposite said first direction.

4. In a capping machine for applying caps to uncapped containers, a rotor unit; said rotor unit including a plurality of adjustable rotors engageable with said caps; means for driving said rotors in a first direction; second means for selectively and simultaneously driving a portion only of said plurality of rotors in said first direction or a second opposed direction.

5. In a capping machine for applying caps to uncapped containers, a rotor unit; said rotor unit including a plurality of adjustable rotors engageable with said caps; means for driving said rotors in a first direction; second means for selectively and simultaneously driving one only of said rotors in said first direction or a second opposed direction.

6. In a capping machine for use in applying caps to containers, a rotor unit comprising: a plurality of rotors engageable with said caps and means for driving said rotors in a first direction; a single rotor only of said plurality of said rotors having selective rotation reversal means driven by said first mentioned driving means simultaneously in said first direction or a second direction opposite to said first direction.

7. In a capping machine for use in applying caps to containers, a rotor unit comprising: a plurality of rotors engageable with said caps and means for driving said rotors in a first direction at a first given speed; a portion only of said plurality of said rotors driven by said first mentioned driving means having selective rotation reversal means for simultaneously rotating said single rotor in said first direction or a second direction opposite said first direction at a second speed greater than said first mentioned speed.

M. NORMAN SCHWEIZER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,012,630 Gridley Dec. 26, 1911 1,746,697 Eaglesfield Feb. 11, 1930 1,754,621 Fox et a1 Apr. 15, 1930 2,349,555 Kittess May 23, 1944 2,364,523 Gantzer Dec. 5, 1944 2,386,797 Hohl et a1 Oct. 16, 1945 2,434,053 Resina, Jan. 6, 1948 2,435,127 Cameron Jan. 27, 1948 

